How dramatic (style-wise) can you go if you want to be taken seriously at work?

[Gah81]

I'm mid-senior level management in a workplace on the periphery of financial services. Senior men come in suits, junior people wear chinos and jumpers (occasionally with a tie). Some of the really senior women wear loose floral dresses and big, loose cardigans internally.

As I've progressed up the career ladder, I've felt a little more at ease with relaxing and wearing what I want to wear. I am a blouse and pencil skirt/skirt suit, fitted dress and jacket, blazer, shirt and cigarette pants on casual days, kind of woman anyway. But I do love a dramatic/theatrical twist. Peplum jackets, a slash of red lipstick, vintage suits/dresses with high, stand-up necklines, or fitted capes, '50s vintage princess or swing coats in bright colours.

My question is: even if I (I like to think I!) always look smart (and colleagues, including senior colleagues, will occasionally comment approvingly on what I wear) and the quality of my work is good/am professional in my demeanour etc. will people think of me differently or be less likely to promote me if I wear things that are a little more interesting than just standard shirt, standard skirt in conservative cuts and colours? I should point out that when I have external meetings, I keep it plain as possible. When I'm giving a talk then I actually prefer to stand out a little.

I love clothes and loving what I wear to work (and I love tailoring and work clothes!) is a huge part of who I am. But if you were my manager, what would you think?

I would think you had a vivid personality and be more likely to promote you, personally! There's no need to be a clone of everyone else. As you say, you're always smart and tailored. I don't work in your industry though - I work in local government and only the very senior level wear suits, so I may not be the best person to judge.

I would think you were absolutely wonderful and would be forever asking where you buy your stuff.

I should stress that I don't work in your field and that I'm not a senior manager but from what I've observed, the higher you climb in any sector, the less the rules apply and I've noticed that eventually you can reach a stage where looking a little bit different can be a plus. Plus you seem to have a good instinct for when it's appropriate and when it's not. I think it would be a crying shame to suppress your natural sense of style.

But if anyone comes along with more inside knowledge of your sector please listen to them rather than me!

I work in the arts - not having a sense of style is a disadvantage here! I'd admire your style and think you had personality and taste. In your sector, you won't be forgettable and I can't imagine that being dressed well would be a disadvantage.

Thank you all, that's nice to hear. I hadn't even considered that it might work in my favour - the best I was thinking of was that it would be "neutral" :) I shall keep my fingers crossed that it might!

The more senior women at my old workplace were the ones who dressed the boldest...! (Senior positions I mean, not senior age!)

In fact I'm sure I read some research a while back saying people who dress differently or eccentrically at work are more likely to be perceived as important or senior within the company.

I Personally think that it's a very fine line. Individual can be great but when it tips into 'irregular choice' territory, then I think you risk being seen as too 'out there', especially in a more conservative sector. You want to be known for your results and ability, not your clothes.

Oh, there's a difference between stylishly individual and wacky, and irregular choice is frequently on the wrong side of it. That doesn't sound like what you describe though - interesting colours and cuts and vintage suits are a long way from dressing head to toe in lindybop 50s gear (I know someone who works for the government who dresses in floral Cath Kidston circle dresses all the time, and she's about a size 16 and in her 50s so the effect is weird and to me looks unprofessional - not wearing vintage but the floral patterns imo. No idea what her bosses think though).

I'm mid-level in a fashion company and wear what I want (I'm in Adidas Superstars and boyfriend jeans today, yesterday cropped skinnies and bright red loafers) but I agree "interesting" is one thing and "wacky" is another. I like to wear things like an unusual necklace, or bright shoes with a black and white outfit, but I draw the line at 50s-style dresses with space rockets on them or pineapple-print harem trousers.

I suppose the barometer for me is "If I ran into the CEO in the toilets would I look down at myself and worry if I looked unsuitable for the office".

I think as long as you still look smart and professional you can still express your personality and style through your clothes. I work in a corporate environment and our previous Comms Manager used to wear fishnet tights and black ugg boots to work which I did used to think was unprofessional of her but I don't think that's what you have in mind

Some of the pictures you have painted of co-workers have made me smile

I like the idea of thinking "would I be embarrassed wearing it in front of my CEO" as a handy test. Agree that in my office I can't veer into wacky (or Cath Kidston florals/cutesy retro stuff - not my thing generally).

But thank you all - I shall ease myself a little more into wearing interestingly cut clothing at work.